Silicon Valley Founder Blog Weekly Read

The brand age is your enemy — and how to opt out of it

Paul Graham published two essays in early 2026 that, read together, form a sharp briefing for any early-stage founder. 'The Brand Age' dissects why branding and good product design are structurally opposed — and when that matters for your startup. 'How to Convert Between Wealth and Income Tax' delivers the math most politicians (and founders planning exits) get wrong: 1% wealth tax equals 20% income tax at a 5% risk-free return.